Madam Wen’s eyes were slightly red, but she maintained her composure with forced dignity. “Master…”
Xue Mingzhu anxiously wiped away tears. “Fortunately, Father prepared other congratulatory gifts. Otherwise, arriving empty-handed would have been utterly humiliating. How could I ever show my face again? Ningning has gone too far this time. Even if she treats me like this usually, how could she do this to Father, Mother, and Eldest Brother…”
Xue Youdao’s gaze turned cold as he stared at Xue Ning in the distance, unable to immediately vent his anger. He could only turn to Xue Yan.
“This is what you said—that she would definitely present the screen in the Xue family’s name for the sake of the family! Xue Yan, as my eldest son, your lack of caution in handling this matter is deeply disappointing.”
Xue Yan took a deep breath, clenching his fist. “Father, it was my recklessness. I mistakenly trusted Xue Ning.”
Even now, Xue Yan could not believe that Xue Ning had not given him the screen. The words she had spoken to him that day in Shuzhai Lou were actually true!
Had Xue Ning truly cut ties to this extent? Did she no longer acknowledge him as her elder brother? Did she no longer care about his future at all?
How could this be? Clearly, Xue Ning had always valued him most as her elder brother.
The Xue family members did not know how they managed to wait until the banquet ended. As soon as they saw others leaving, they immediately rose and slipped away from Ningyuan Houfu in disgrace.
Xue Mingzhu added fuel to the fire with feigned kindness. “Father, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t we wait for Ningning to leave together?”
Suppressing his anger, Xue Youdao said in a low voice, “She is so capable, she probably doesn’t need the Xue family’s carriage. If she prefers to walk, let her walk back alone. No one is to wait for her today!”
However, what the Xue family imagined—Xue Ning walking back alone at night—never happened.
Because Xue Ning ultimately returned in the carriage prepared by Old Madam Jiang.
Xue Ning went directly back to Fotang, with no intention of going to explain herself to the Xue family.
When Xue Youdao learned from the gatekeeper that Xue Ning had returned half an hour earlier, he became even more furious.
Xue Ning was summoned to the main courtyard, her expression calm and indifferent, unlike their anger.
“Bang—”
Xue Youdao slammed the table. “Xue Ning, why did you make the decision privately to present that screen without informing the family? Did your elder brother not tell you that this screen was intended as a birthday gift?”
Xue Ning spoke up. “Father, I never agreed to give him this screen to congratulate the Xue family. When he spoke to me about it, I made it clear to him.
This embroidery is mine, and I have the right to decide its fate. I do not understand why Father is angry. Father never told me that you wanted this screen either.”
Xue Youdao frowned deeply and looked at Xue Yan. “Is what she said true?”
Xue Yan’s face was cold and rigid, his thin lips pressed tightly together. Yet he asked a question that left everyone bewildered.
“Xue Ning, do you truly no longer acknowledge me as your elder brother?”
Throughout the journey back to Xue Zhai, Xue Yan repeatedly recalled how Xue Ning had followed him around as a child and after first returning to the mansion—her eyes bright and full of hopeful admiration as she called him “Eldest Brother.”
So much so that Xue Ning’s sudden coldness toward him was even harder for him to accept than the humiliation caused by the screen.
Xue Ning did not look at Xue Yan, ignoring him with indifference throughout. She was weary; the words that needed to be said had already been spoken to him.
Xue Ning performed a curtsy. “Father, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”
Xue Yan watched Xue Ning’s retreating figure, utterly incredulous. He instinctively wanted to stop her but was halted by Xue Youdao’s shout.
“That ungrateful wretch knows nothing! No one is to pay her any mind!”
To Xue Youdao, Xue Ning was a discarded pawn, useless to the Xue family. His already faint affection for her had grown even colder because of this incident, reinforcing his belief that focusing on cultivating Xue Mingzhu was the right choice—only Xue Mingzhu understood propriety and would consider the Xue family’s interests.
After returning to the Fotang, Xue Ning quickly fell asleep, having specifically instructed Rendong beforehand.
“Wake me early tomorrow. Old Madam Jiang will send someone to fetch me to the general’s residence. I must not keep anyone waiting.”
Rendong was delighted for her. “Yes, Miss. This time, you have finally achieved your wish and can visit the County Princess.”
“Mmm.”
Xue Ning nodded and drifted off to sleep, hoping the next day’s journey would go smoothly.
Early the next morning.
Xue Ning followed Old Madam Jiang to General Lu Yuan’s residence.
Old Madam Lu did not favor Xue Ning but could not afford to disregard Old Madam Jiang.
“Old Madam, I knew you were coming early, so I specially prepared fresh tea and pastries from Yongshouju.”
Old Madam Jiang took her seat, sipped the tea with a faint smile, and remained silent, her dignified presence commanding such respect that even the usually troublesome Old Madam Lu dared not act out.
“I haven’t seen that girl Xie An in a long time. I heard she fell ill, so I came specifically to check on her. When I last saw the Empress Dowager, she mentioned Xie An to me. Once Xie An recovers, have her visit the palace to see the Empress Dowager.”
Old Madam Lu wiped her sweat. “Yes, this is all the County Princess’s good fortune. She is currently recuperating in her courtyard. Let me take you to see her.”
Following Old Madam Jiang, Xue Ning finally arrived at the courtyard and saw Sister Xie An!
Old Madam Jiang exchanged only a few polite words before allowing Xue Ning to stay and share some intimate conversation with Xie An, for which Xue Ning felt deeply grateful.
“Sister, seeing you safe and sound finally puts my heart at ease.”
Xue Ning observed Xie An leaning against the headboard. Aside from appearing somewhat weak, her complexion was still passable, allowing Xue Ning to finally set her worries aside.
Xie An smiled at her. “You, always worrying too much. Don’t listen to that maid Bi He’s nonsense. I’m truly fine. I’m sorry to have troubled you.”
Yet, from Xie An’s reddened, forcedly smiling eyes, Xue Ning could still see the hardship and sorrow.
“Sister, are you feeling better? Are the medicines and physicians adequate?”
Xie An held her hand. “The General wouldn’t dare do anything to me. After all, I am still a County Princess. He confines me because he fears I might enter the palace to lodge a complaint…”
Here, Xie An laughed self-deprecatingly. “But he worries too much. With my Xie family now in decline, who would stand up for me? Ningning, you needn’t worry about me. If necessary, I can always perish together with him—I won’t let him truly bully me into submission.”
“Rather, you look thinner. Have you been mistreated in the Xue family during this time? Once I recover, I’ll stand up for you again…”